RDC EMPLOYEE POSITIVE!!! – REO apologizes, staff to be tested

The recent discovery that a female employee of Region ten RDC procurement office was tested
positive has seen the Regional Health Officer, Dr Gregory Harris and the Regional Executive
Officer, Dwight John being criticized heavily by several employees and members of the public
for their handling of the matter.
www.aroundtheregions.com was  contacted by several employees who angrily voiced their
disapproval of what they dubbed as being left in the dark over the situation, considering that the
RHO reportedly knew that the young lady was in quarantine earlier in the week. It was revealed
that the young lady’s positive results were made known to several employees on Thursday
morning by another employee through a medical personnel.
“This is really ridiculous as we only knew after  someone leaked the information and this
shouldn’t be so as this is a small office in terms of space, so practically everybody interacts
closely with everyone, so any person being positive can spell trouble for the entire staff at
Region Ten,” a visibly disturbed employee said.
However, speaking exclusively to www.aroundtheregions.com the REO Dwight John said that as
the REO he apologies on behalf of the RHO, Dr Harris and the region. He said that he only learnt
of the situation on Thursday during the Regional Health and Emergency Committee (RHEC)
meeting that was taking place at the same time in the RDC Boardroom. He said like several of
the employees he was surprised as he didn’t even know the young lady was in quarantine. He
confessed that he cannot say if the RHO found out like him on Thursday, but he admits that the
region may have erred in how they handled the matter.
“I am sorry, and I only found out on Thursday during the RHEC meeting. As a matter of fact, I
never knew that the young lady was in quarantine. Immediately after we found out several other
employees apparently got the same information and opted to leave for home and I met with the
RHO and we had a discussion on the matter after which, the RDC building was fumigated on
Thursday afternoon. On Friday several employees choose not to turn out to work,” the REO
confessed.
REO John said that the young lady’s results being public may have arisen after she got her
results. He said that several of her colleagues began panicking, thus sending fear throughout the
RDC. He dismissed reports that they had sent home anyone.  He confessed that he had taken a
test also, while the Procurement Officer results are negative.
“Randy Hall who is the Regional Procurement Officer took the test and his results returned the
very Thursday as being negative, so he is negative, I also took a test out of concern as well. I
spoke to the RHO Dr Harris a few minutes ago and we are seeking to have this matter addressed.
As a matter of fact, we didn’t expect persons to react this way,” the REO said.
Several employees are questioning the relevance of the RHEC meetings considering that the
meetings take place twice a week in the Boardroom a mere door away from the Procurement
Office. Employees speaking to this media house stated that the handling of COVID related

matters and issues by the RHO is very disappointing and have issued an appeal for the Minister
of Health, Dr Frank Anthony to immediately address this matter. “Dr Harris and Dr Michael
Marks who has responsibility for COVID seems to be clueless as to what they are supposed to do
and this cannot continue because they are wasting time and failing to properly inform residents
on issues that they need to know,” several employees said
REO John said that on Monday all employees of the RDC who wish to be tested will be tested as
he firmly agrees that persons would like to know if they may have been infected by their
colleague. He said that he will also address several issues with staff including protocol in such
situations.
“On Monday we will be allowing all staff members who want to be tested to get tested as that is
their right and while we will not force anyone to take the test we are hoping that everyone sees
the importance of getting tested,”  the REO said.